Ten-year-old Sanoma Smart, a student at Stratford Academy, and nine-year-old Lucas Gelmetti, a student at St. Theresa School in Trumbull, are chosen Saturday, April 9, 2011 to represent Lavinia Warren and Tom Thumb in this year's Barnum Festival.

Ten-year-old Sanoma Smart, a student at Stratford Academy, and nine-year-old Lucas Gelmetti, a student at St. Theresa School in Trumbull, are chosen Saturday, April 9, 2011 to represent Lavinia Warren and Tom

Lucas and Sanoma were chosen from 34 third- and fourth-graders representing 19 schools in greater Bridgeport.

The contestants were interviewed by a panel of four judges who chose the winners based on their records of academic leadership, enthusiasm and social skills.

The new Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren will be key members of the 63rd annual Barnum Festival through late September.

They will lead at the Wing Ding Parade and participate in the Ringmaster's Road Show, the Great Street Parade and other events. All 34 contestants are invited to walk in the Great Street Parade.

The "real" Tom and Lavinia were famous midgets who helped turn the city's P. T. Barnum into a famous international showman. Together they entertained kings and queens in Europe and brought a wide smile to the face of President Abraham Lincoln in the final year of our Civil War.

More Information

The following are some of the top Barnum Festival events:
May 20: Whip, Whistle and Watch luncheon.
June 4: Ringmaster's Ball.
June 18: Wing Ding Parade for Kids.
July 2: Champions on Parade.
July 3: Great Street Parade.
July 3: Skyblast Party with fireworks at Seaside Park.
Source: barnumfestival.com

Sanoma said she will make a fitting Lavinia. After all, she and Lavina have a lot in common: "She spent a lot of time in Bridgeport, and I was born here," Sanoma explained, adjusting a tiara on her head.

"And she married Tom Thumb in 2001 and that's the year I was born."

Lucas, stunned with excitement, could only smile upon earning Tom Thumb's title.

"Tom Thumb is one of a kind," he later gushed, his cheeks reddening beneath an ear-to-ear grin. "And I get to be him. It's just an amazing offer."

Reach Brittany Lyte at blyte@ctpost.com or 203-330-6426. Follow at twitter.com/blyte.